In this issue: More at summit.org » pg. 2 From the President’s » The Presiden’t Desk: the Desk Dr. Jeff Myers’ Blog » pg. 5 A Look at Our World » Join our e-mail list for updates, resources » pg. 7 Alumni Spotlight: Summit Grad Plans to Minister » Check our Twitter journalJanuary 2013 Volume 13 Issue 1 in His Native Egypt feed: @summitmn What Do We Make of Radical Islamicism? there are “denominational differences” in Islam just as there are in Christianity. Varying interpretations of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Sunnah — the three author- itative texts of Islam — have produced different forms of Islam, according to Dr. Nabeel Qureshi, a Summit lecturer and former Muslim. Broadly speaking, some Muslims adhere to a traditionalist Islam, which takes all the material in the three sources literally. Others, mean- while, adhere to a reformed Islam, which dismisses the abusive aspects of Islam by claiming they are no longer culturally relevant, especially when they are violent and mistreat women. Qureshi’s theory is that the world- wide rise in violence among Muslims in recent years is due to the spread of information. More Muslims are now able to see the original texts for themselves, including calls to violence. This rising awareness, though, has also fueled the growth of reformed Islam. “All [of re- formed Islam’s] teachings don’t jive with Cover Story original sources,” Qureshi said. As far Americans continue to want answers So how do we make sense of the im- as Islam’s ability to assimilate into other to questions surrounding the September ages we see on network news each night cultures, Muslim rejection of Islam’s 11, 2012, attacks in Benghazi, Libya. and the snapshots many of us observe in violent teachings is a good thing. Though many legitimate questions about our neighborhoods, towns, and commu- Abdu Murray, also a former Muslim the attack remain, the perpetrators are, nities? What are the worldwide implica- and another Summit lecturer, agreed in fact, known: Islamic terrorists with tions of these competing narratives, and that many Muslims — particularly those ties to al Qaeda. Once again, Americans how do we engage Muslims in light of in the West — simply don’t adhere to are drawn to the turmoil in the Middle that? many of the commands of Islamic scrip- East and the tension of two different A Story of Two Islams: ture. “I can’t tell you how many Muslims narratives: one of violent, jihad-driven Traditional and Reformed are nominal at best,” he said. “They are Islamists and one of Muslim neighbors Although similarities do exist be- [only] cultural Muslims. If it were a simply trying to make a good life for tween Christianity and Islam, there are crime to be an orthodox Muslim, they themselves. myriad differences. One similarity is that See Islam, page 3 from the president’s desk a word from dr. jeff myers

By God’s faithfulness the year courageous first responders. Their totalizing, winner- 2012 was another banner year resourcefulness and bravery turned takes-all world- for Summit: 1,500 students came the tide. view. Ali A. Allawi, through our 12-day programs and Summit is in the business of author of the 20,000 in all were equipped through preparing cultural first responders to acclaimed Crisis of Summit’s intensive worldview train- turn the tide threatening to engulf our Islamic Civilization, argues that there ing curriculum. culture. Imagine hundreds of thou- are only two options: “Islamists will But here’s the hard news: there sands of emerging adults equipped to force society to conform to Islam or are millions of young people who be articulate, persuasive, and effective ‘the dominant civilizational order’ haven’t learned how to understand the change agents for a Christian world- will ‘fatally undermine whatever is times in which they live. The future view. left of Muslims’ basic identity and of America hinges on whether we can The first step in turning the tide is autonomy.’” turn the tide for these young people. understanding the times in which we The molten core of the Islamist We have not a moment to lose. live. This issue ofThe Journal prepares propensity for violence and mistreat- This time in history is decisive. Every you to understand the heart of the ment is a flawed theology, a world- move we make is of critical impor- Islamic worldview, but even more view that sees humans as slaves of tance. In 2013 Summit is taking important the true threat, which is God, not as sons and daughters made unprecedented steps to mobilize not Islam itself but a well-organized, in God’s image. The Christian doc- our alumni, expand our events, and well-funded and determined effort trine of imago dei — the doctrine exponentially grow the reach of our inside the Muslim community called that more than any other has pro- curriculum courses for churches and Islamicism. moted humane advancements such as Christian schools. Summit intends to America seems unwilling to hospitals, civil rights, education, and play a role in turning the tide. understand Islam itself and pathologi- the abolition of slavery — is a foreign This summer a raging wildfire cally incapable of dealing realistically concept to Islamists. crept within one mile of our Sum- with the threat of Islamicism. In the midst of out-of-control mit headquarters, threatening to Our current secretary of state government spending, a lackluster engulf the town of Manitou Springs. would have us believe that that economy and threats to life, marriage, A handful of brave firefighters battled Islamists are primarily concerned and religious freedom, we must clear- the blaze throughout the night. In about “freedom of worship.” President ly understand the Islamic worldview the morning the wind shifted and our Obama seems to think that Islamists and the Islamist agenda. The tension town was spared. can be pacified if we bow down and between loving our Muslim neigh- We all know the Lord protected apologize to them. bors and refusing to permit a foothold us and one of His means was the As we will see, Islamicism is a to Islamist legal or governmental influence must be acknowledged. In 2013 Summit is taking unprecedented So, invite your Muslim neighbors “ over for a meal. Love their kids. Ask steps to mobilize our alumni, expand our questions. Explain how Jesus revealed events, and exponentially grow the reach himself to you and ask them to pray of our curriculum courses ... that He will do the same for them. ” But at the same time, educate yourself on the threat that doctrines such as Sharia law pose to a Constitutional Dr. Jeff Myers republic, and stand firm.

Page 2 January 2013 islam continued from page one

couldn’t be convicted of it.” That’s why their adherence to Islamic scriptures. he says it’s important for non-Muslims Many enforce Islamic law — sharia Further Resources to note well the difference between — on their citizens. According to Islam — the actual religion left by Abdu Murray, an example of that end » William Kilpatrick’s new Muhammad, which calls for violence of the spectrum is what we’re seeing book Christianity, Islam, and toward nonbelievers and a full politi- in Egypt as the Muslim Brotherhood, Atheism helps explain Islam cal ideology — and Muslims — those adherents of traditional Islam, wrest in relation to the overall who say they follow Islam. “We have control from what had been a mostly battle of worldviews in to understand there’s a spectrum of secular Islamic regime. America today. Muslims,” he said. “They hold their One implication of the growth of worldview with a varying degree of traditional Islam is that non-Muslims tightness.” in countries like Egypt may be treated » Creed 2:6 (www.creed26. Even the Islamic scriptures as second-class citizens. According to com) — Nabeel Qureshi’s themselves are conflicting. At various the Qur’an, Islamic countries have a ministry aims to help Chris- places within the Qur’an (the Islamic right to charge non-Muslims a special tians better share Christ holy book, written by Muhammad), tax (called jivya) in order to live under with their Muslim friends. the Hadith (sayings of Muhammad), the protection of the state. In other and the Sunnah (doctrines of practice Islamic nations, such as Iran, sharia lived out or advocated by Muham- law is heavily enforced. » Aletheia International mad) violence is in fact a flagstone The violence that we see in the (www.embracetruth.org) (see surah 9 of the Qur’an, for ex- Middle East can be used to point to- — The ministry founded ample). Other passages advocate for ward Christ, though. Murray says that by Abdu Murray that ex- peace. Alan Shlemon, another Sum- as with all conflict, violence in and ists to help Muslims, Jews, mit lecturer, said the explanation around Islamic countries is usually cult members, and skeptics for the texts’ discrepancies is pretty followed by three reactions: embrace the Gospel. simple. Muhammad wrote differ- ent parts of the Qur’an during two 1 Sorrow of loss different times of his life: his time in 2 Demand for justice »Stand to Reason (www.str. Mecca and the last half of his life after 3 Cry for love org) — One of the top apol- fleeing to Medina. Muhammad’s time ogetics ministries in the in Mecca was peaceful, while his time The Christian worldview ad- country, Stand to Reason is in Medina, as his popularity grew, was dresses all three of these needs in the organization for which much more violent. Thus, the discrep- unique ways, says Murray. “A Gospel- Alan Shlemon speaks. His ancies in the Qur’an, his sayings, and centered answer to these questions is the practices he advocated. there, as opposed to a political solu- book, The Ambassador’s Islam Plays a Strong tion,” he said. So even amongst the Guide to Islam, is available Part on the World Stage conflicts we see in headlines, opportu- there. As David Noebel outlined in Un- nities abound to point out to Muslims derstanding the Times, all worldviews the power of the Gospel. “There’s speak into ten specific disciplines, one a way to use the conflict,” Murray of them being politics, and Islam is no exhorted. different. Islamic governments, like One of the dangers of the cur- Muslims themselves, vary in scope in See Islam, page 4

January 2013 Page 3 islam continued from page 3

rent political landscape is that many ful. If America were a more Christian and legal differences, Shlemon encour- Western leaders are so influenced by culture, you’d find a more informed, aged Christians not to fear monger. secularism, they fail to see the far- thoughtful response to the things that Most Muslims we encounter day-to- reaching implications Islam has in the speak to the Muslim mind.” day in the West seek merely to live political sphere, potentially putting After seeing examples of sharia peacefully and support themselves more people law take and their families; they’re not violent at risk. hold in jihadists. “Even if they were, it doesn’t Secularism “... secularists will never un- pockets of really matter. It’s not like God’s called posits that derstand Muslims and never Western us to be ambassadors to only peaceful all things Europe, people.” religious understand the Middle East.” some in Qureshi, Murray, and Shlemon are relegat- the U.S. all had practical advice for Christians ed to pri- Abdu Murray worry engaging more intentionally with vate life and the same Muslims: shouldn’t thing 1 Ask honest questions. Be- affect the public square. “As a mat- will happen here. Nabeel Qureshi was cause of the diversity of thought within ter of definition, secularists will actually arrested and jailed in Dear- Islam, Qureshi encourages Christians never understand Muslims and never born, Michigan, just for engaging in to ask questions in order to get to know understand the Middle East,” Murray Christian evangelism with Muslims their Muslim friends and their beliefs. said. “That’s the complete opposite of at an Islamic festival. Even so, he says Don’t assume you know all the particu- Islam.” Such misunderstandings can we cannot afford to take a merely lars of their beliefs. lead to an underestimation of the will- defensive posture. “We’re far too 2 Ask about Jesus. Muslims love ingness of Islamists to use state power reactionary,” he said. “We tend to react talking about their faith. “It’s not like to coerce others or carry out jihad. It’s to things that happen and pull away secularism, where politics and religion a mistake that, as we saw in Benghazi, from the culture.” Damage control in are taboo,” Murray said. can end tragically. this sense is sometimes necessary, but 3 Be sensitive to Muslim How Do We Engage it is often too little, too late. “Culture is sensitivities. Shlemon advises Chris- Islam in the Public Square at Home? what controls the mindset of the next tians to avoid things that are automati- Ironically, secularism can also be generation,” he continued. “ We need cally off-putting to Muslims. Don’t an unwitting friend to Islamists in non- to [proactively] engage culture from a approach a Muslim of the opposite sex Islamic countries. The secular belief Christian mindset.” alone; don’t bring up controversial that religion is innocuous if kept pri- If there are places where the Mus- claims about Muhammad being a vate, combined with an obsession for a lim/secularist worldview — or other pedophile, for example, while still political correctness that disallows the worldviews, for that matter — begin to building a relationship. critiquing of any religion other than coerce non-Muslims, fighting to main- If the tide of culture is to be Christianity — can actually give way tain freedom of expression is para- turned, Christians ought to interact to a minority religion like Islam having mount, Qureshi said. “We definitely with and love Muslims of all stripes. more sway in the public sphere. “Secu- need to stand up for our ability to speak “God is making his appeal through us,” larism is, in fact, a pushover,” Murray freely. But it’s still not enough; it’s like Shlemon said. “Our mandate is to go said. “It almost sounds like we’re being putting a Band-Aid on a hemorrhage.” out and speak to people about Jesus thoughtful [to not criticize others’ Advice for Day-to-Day so that they can be reconciled to God. religion]. And it sounds very nice. But Interactions with Muslims It doesn’t matter whether nominal, I think, frankly, it’s not truly thought- Even in spite of political, cultural, reformed, or radical.”

Page 4 January 2013 a look at our world news and commentary

Editor’s Note: Our President Emeri- enforce Islamic Sharia, ok you want who say that tus, Dr. David Noebel, helps us with Islamic Sharia then elect the ones the society is research by sending 20-30 pages who will enforce it. Do the Egyp- not ready for of clippings of each month’s news. tian people want the law man to this [Sharia], To see the complete list of Doc’s enforce Islamic Sharia? Yes, the ma- but this is a clippings, go to www.summit.org/ jority of the Egyptian people want statement if I said it, or so and so resources/the-journal/, open the to enforce Islamic Sharia. There said it, they will peel his skin alive, PDF, and scroll to page 9, or call us at were conferences that were held to while if others [the Muslim Broth- 866.786.6483. put into the law [Sharia] edicts. erhood] say it is alright. Islam The previous government was for- The statement implies that the Egypt has now a modern pha- eign to us, it did not want to enforce only thing keeping Egypt from be- raoh, named Muhammad Morsi, and Sharia. Why? Do the enforcers of ing a Sharia state was the Muslim with him as the sole ruler, the coun- Sharia want Brotherhood try will ultimately become an official to rob the That Egypt will be- itself. Now Sharia state. Sharia is already en- country? “ that Morsi has forced to some degree, but now that This is not come a Sharia taken the posi- the Muslim Brotherhood is expand- correct. state is mose clear- tion of dicta- ing its power, it will implement the Let us then tor, it is now edicts of its constitution, the Koran, fix the ly shown in Egyp- quite clear to its fullest capacity. Egyptian tian politics itself. that the full This was foreshadowed months Constitu- ” enforcement ago when counter-revolutionaries tion without of Sharia is on were crucified in front of the presi- worry. We Theodore Shoebat its way soon. dential palace, since these type of ex- trust the The Chris- ecutions are demanded in the Koran Egyptian tians will be where it states that: people to do massacred by The punishment of anyone who the right thing, Allah willing. orders from the state itself, and it will fights against Allah and His apostle Dr. Mohamed Yousry Salameh, be happily done not only by govern- and do mischief in the land is to be the Executive Member of the Al-Dos- ment officers and soldiers, but by the killed or crucified or to have their tur, founded by Mohamed El Baradei, Egyptian people themselves. Egypt hands and feet cut off from opposite the father of the Egyptian Revolu- will not be ruled under full dictator- ends or be banished from the land. tion, stated that the party needed ship, but also by mob rule. (Quran: The table spread) to push the Muslim Brotherhood to Tyranny is founded in the mass- That Egypt will become a Sharia begin an implementation of Sharia in es, and it is the great majority of the state is most clearly shown in Egyp- Egypt: Egyptian people who want Sharia, tian politics itself. In September of So who is now stopping us from and therefore it will be them who will this year, Egypt’s justice Hossam enforcing Sharia, including all its take part greatly in killing Christians Ghariani, President of the Supreme edicts as you all want? Answer: it’s or any moderate Egyptians. Judicial Council, said in a video that the president, and his party [the The people are to blame for the Egyptian people were demanding Muslim Brotherhood]. It is he, after this coming tyranny in Egypt; they Sharia, and that to enforce it would all who is in power… so what do wanted the ousting of Mubarak, the be the correct choice: they have to stop this [Sharia]? Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafist Answer: nothing. …They are some The country did not have a desire to continued on page 6

January 2013 Page 5 a look at our world news and commentary, continued from page 5

to rule, and Sharia to become the rule Brentwood resident. The letter asked to “easily conclude that their interests of the land. The current protest being the five-member council to end the aren’t represented by the council,” done by Morsi’s rivals are irrelevant practice or revise it to allow other she said. at this point, since there is noth- religions’ prayers. Mr. Rudder said he has not re- ing that can be done once Islamism Earlier this year, the council in- ceived complaints from community seizes a nation. Most of the people corporated a moment of silence into members. wanted Sharia, and now they are go- the sessions. “The residents called me and told ing to taste it. “When we begin our meetings, me they hope I would not stop open- — Theodore Shoebat those who wish to pray can say a ing all meetings with a prayer,” he FrontPage Magazine short prayer,” Mr. Rudder said. “Oth- said. “It’s tradition. We’ve continued November 26, 2012 ers can observe a moment of silence.” to do what we have always done.” In a follow-up letter sent in Ms. Khan said the lack of com- Religious Liberty September, Americans United said plaints to City Hall is not surprising. A civil liberties group is getting despite the moment of silence, the “A person in the minority feels ready to take legal action against the Lord’s Prayer was still recited. The intimidated about speaking up,” she town of Brentwood, Md., for reciting group threatened to take legal action. said. the Lord’s Prayer in council meetings “That is still imposing a Christian — Shivan Sarna — a practice the group says is uncon- prayer on the audience and that’s Washington Times stitutional. improper whether they couple it with November 19, 2012, p. 11 The Washington-based group, a moment of silence or not,” said Americans United for Separation of Ayesha Khan, legal director at Ameri- Economics Church and State, said the invoca- cans United. And what would the old-timers tion violates the First Amendment by After two months of no change, think of our government debt? The giving Christianity preference over Americans United sent a third let- unpaid liabilities and obligations, ex- other religions. ter Wednesday asking the town for pressed as though they had to be paid Brentwood Mayor Roger E. Rud- public records — including council today, come to about $44 trillion, der said that the prayer is a time-hon- agendas and minutes, legal opinions, depending on the source you choose ored tradition in his town of roughly complaints and correspondence — to believe. 3,000 people. relating to the recitation of the Lord’s — Bill Bonner & Addison Wiggin “As far as I can remember being Prayer. Empire of Debt: The Rise of the in this town, we’ve always started our Ms. Khan said the group will use Epic Financial Crisis (2006) council sessions with a prayer,” he this information to build a lawsuit. p. 29 said. “We don’t question anyone of If there are no changes, she said a what faith they are.” lawsuit will be filed early next year. The actual liabilities of the federal Americans United has sent three She said she hopes the conflict can government — including Social Se- letters asking the Town Council to be resolved without a lawsuit, which curity, Medicare, and federal employ- stop the prayer this year. They have would be both divisive and expen- ees’ retirement benefits — already not received a response. sive. exceed $86.8 trillion. “I’m very offended by the fact “I don’t care if they respond,” Ms. — Chris Cox & Bill Archer that they even sent me a letter,” Mr. Khan said. “I care if they change the Wall Street Journal Rudder said. practice.” November 27, 2012, p. A 17 The first letter was sent in April The practice is unwelcoming to after a complaint received from a non-Christians and could lead them

Page 6 January 2013 summit spotlight a look into the lives of summit alumni Cairo Native Yacoub Plans Long Ministry Career in Egypt who ten years ago started carrying Fo- ence, he earned a university degree in cus on the Family materials in addition Cairo and began his apologetics study at to the resources he was already provid- Oxford earlier this fall. Once he finishes ing Christians in Egypt. Eight years ago that program in the spring, he plans he added a printing press to his office, to earn a master’s degree in dentistry so Yacoub has helped translate, edit, and either from a school in the U.S. or back print materials intended for Christians in Egypt. Then, he hopes to combine in Cairo. He and his family also facilitate Christian ministry with his dental some programs and studies they think profession. “In Egypt, the concept of are applicable to Christians in Egypt. full-time ministry isn’t as common as Yacoub heard about Summit in the West,” he explained. “It’s seen as through Focus on the Family, and he a cop-out. You need a career to support attended his first Summit program in yourself financially.” 2004 when he was 15 years old. He With so much instability in the admits his first week in Colorado was Middle East as the Arab Spring con- difficult, as he acclimated to a whole tinues, political, social, and economic Youssef Yacoub new culture, and one that didn’t nec- conditions for Egypt’s future remain Adapting to a foreign culture may essarily fit the American stereotype cloudy, Yacoub said. It’s still unclear be a barrier to success for some people. he had seen in Egypt. But his second how Egypt’s new President Mohamed But it hasn’t stopped Youssef Yacoub, week in Manitou Springs changed his Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood and it doesn’t look like it will any time life. “I was blessed both by the learning will govern the country, though recent soon. there and the privilege to meet a lot of news indicates it may be more totalitar- Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, the teachers, especially Michael Bauman,” ian than not. 24-year-old Summit grad is preparing for he said. “He would crush us in debates. Even so, Yacoub encouraged an intense ministry in his native Egypt And then I would go back for a whole Western Christians not to be pessimis- — a major hub of the rapidly changing year and try to research the questions I tic about the work of the Gospel there. and unstable Arab Spring. Youssef plans failed to answer.” “Christians in Egypt need to put them- to support himself as a dentist, but for Yacoub returned to Summit two selves in the mindset that the years to the next few months he’ll be studying at more summers as both a student and come will offer a great challenge on the the Oxford Centre for Christian Apolo- staffer. After returning to Cairo, he one hand, but great opportunity on the getics, learning under such heavyweights practiced the teaching techniques he other,” he said. “It might require some as Ravi Zacharias, Os Guiness, and Ali- learned at Summit with a youth group sacrifice. I’m driven by a passion now to ster McGrath among others. “In a sense he led there. be even more committed to my country I owe Summit for being [at Oxford] Equipped with his Summit experi- and not just run away.” today,” Yacoub reflected. “If it wasn’t for the passion Summit planted in my heart, “ If it wasn’ t for the passion Summit I wouldn’t be here getting the privilege planted in my heart, I wouldn’t be here ... of being taught by the best.” ” Yacoub has been involved in min- istry work in Cairo his whole life. His Youssef Yacoub father was once an itinerant evangelist

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Secularism “It’s basically in the hopes of gener- An atheist organization is suing the Still, he doesn’t think this particular ating a test case on the constitutionality Internal Revenue Service for failing to case will go far. of the Johnson Amendment itself,” Mr. take action against churches that the “I think the lawsuit itself really bor- Stanley said. “We seek to get the gov- group says have violated the tax code ders on frivolous. I don’t know how the ernment out of the pulpits of America. for nonprofits by engaging in politics. FFRF can claim they’ve been harmed When the chance comes to argue it in The Freedom From Religion by the IRS‘ refusal to enforce the court, regardless of how or if, we’ll be Foundation, a watchdog group based Johnson Amendment,” Mr. Stanley said. ready.” in Madison, Wis., filed a federal lawsuit “But, on the chance it does, then we will Weeks after the October demon- this week that cited the Oct. 7 actions seek to protect those churches.” stration, IRS spokesman Russell Ren- of 1,600 pastors who violated the tax The complaint from the Freedom wicks said the tax agency had put a halt code on “Pulpit Freedom Sunday” – a From Religion Foundation says church- on all church audits. Although the IRS nationwide display of free speech. After es are getting “preferential treatment” later repudiated that statement, there weeks of silence from the IRS, the Free- over other nonprofits, including the was speculation of a stalemate within dom From Religion Foundation took foundation itself. The group pointed to the organization as a result of another the matter to court. other examples of political involvement lawsuit. “This looks like the only way to get from religious groups, such as full-page “In a recent case [it was argued] some action out of the IRS,” said An- political newspaper ads placed by the that the IRS was not proceeding prop- nie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. erly,” said John Pomeranz, a Washing- foundation. If allowed to ignore the ban, Ms. ton-based lawyer who specializes in She said the foundation has written Gaylor said, churches may become election-related activities by tax-exempt to the IRS about the issue for years, but funnels for tax-deductible, unreported organizations. “The court ruled against Pulpit Freedom Sunday was the last campaign money. the IRS and blew up their process for straw. “If churches are allowed to keep auditing churches.” “The tipping point would have their tax-exempt status and electioneer, This could explain the IRS inaction. been the braggadocio of [1,600] pastors it will be the downfall of our republic,” “We have wondered whether or not claiming they endorsed from the pulpit. she said. “It isn’t just the power of the the IRS is hamstrung at the moment – The number of complaints we’ve re- pastor; it’s the implication of the whole if they are even able to audit churches ceived has been escalating, and we have system.” right now,” Mr. Pomeranz said. “I think no explanation from the IRS. This is our The Alliance Defending Freedom there is a fundamental question about way of finding out what is going on.” started Pulpit Freedom Sunday in order the ability of the IRS to audit churches, The IRS media relations office to provoke a response from the IRS. and they need to address that before declined to comment, saying it does not The initiative encouraged pastors to they can get to the question of whether comment on court cases. make candidate endorsements from the they’re going to audit these Pulpit Free- Erik Stanley, legal counsel for the pulpit, record their sermons and send dom Sunday pastors.” Alliance Defending Freedom, said a the tapes to the IRS. Churches can and — Keely Brazil lawsuit is exactly what his group was often do speak out on public issues, The Washington Times looking for when it launched the Pulpit host government officials and distrib- November 19, 2012, p. A 18 Freedom Sunday initiative in 2008 to ute voter guides, but these activities challenge the Johnson Amendment, the have not been considered as Johnson Cultural Engagement part of the tax code that requires non- Amendment violations unless the The second book of Kings in the profit groups not to engage in political church says “vote for Candidate X.” Old Testament is a usefully depressing speech as a condition of that status. history on national decline. It starts

January 2013 Page 9 a look at our world from the desk of dr. david noebel, continued from page 9

with fire coming down from heaven to enough to take it on. Unions, sure. burned his son as an offering, according convince a king, and Elijah ascending Later, al Qaeda, sure. Bamah, no. to the despicable practices of the na- to heaven via chariots of fire. It ends Our academic high places are hives tions.” The good news is that after Ahaz with the former king of Judah taken into of the left. The Daily Princetonian says came Hezekiah, who “removed the high captivity and dependent on the ruler of 155 members of Princeton Univer- places and broke the pillars” (2 Kings Babylon, who condescends to give him sity’s faculty or staff donated to Barack 16:2-4, 18:3-4). an allowance. Obama, and only two (one visiting Ronald Reagan and the Bushes did Not all kings were part of the lecturer in engineering, one janitor) not remove the high places. We need a descent. Jehoash, Amaziah, and Aza- to Mitt Romney. I’ve seen similar stats Hezekiah, but we need more: America riah, for example, all “did what was from other schools. When taxpayers is not ancient Israel, and the president right in the eyes of the Lord,” except for and parents pay tens of thousands of does not have the power to remove high one thing: “The high places were not dollars to require students to listen places. We fall for the blandishments removed; the people still sacrificed and to leftist propaganda from generally of big media and academia because we made offerings on the high places” (2 persuasive individuals, should we be are ready to fall: If we concentrate solely Kings 12:2-3, 14:3-4, 15:3-4). Many surprised that young people vote left? on their sin we won’t come to grip with who gave lip service to Yahweh hedged Our media high places cover up ours. their bets by visiting a “high place” (in misdeeds. For six weeks this fall CBS This all means that breaking bamah Hebrew, bamah) that was usually but concealed information it had that pillars is the work of every generation, not always on a hill or mountain. showed President Obama confused at but providential technology—online A bamah, in short, was a cultural best and, more probably, lying concern- courses and publications—is opening security blanket: High places could ing the Libya attack that killed four wide a door in our day for Christian make people feel like far-seeing gods Americans. Had CBS released that foot- education and Christian publications. possessing gnostic wisdom. Question: age after the second presidential debate, I’ll discuss in my next column how we What are the high places in our culture? the course of the campaign could have can run through that door. Answer: Academia and media. See how changed. — Marvin Olasky people donate to their alma maters even More basically, though, the me- WORLD Magazine when professors teach doctrines that dia problem is not what’s omitted but December 1, 2012, p. 80 label the contributors as little more than what’s been presented for decades as criminals. See how millions reverently the new normal: marriage as dull and Politics give to PBS and NPR, and how ABC, readily breakable, singleness as sexy and Republicans have now lost four CBS, and NBC still have the power independent. This propaganda-fueled of the six presidential elections since to insinuate liberal messages. See how drive toward singleness hurts millions the Berlin Wall came down in 1989. A hundreds of thousands read the Sunday of individuals who learn the downside season of soul-searching will be healthy, New York Times and email its sermons. of no one to depend on. It also has a and it is needed to retool and rebrand I saw the power of the high places political kick, as the increasing number the party. not only teaching at The University of of never-married and divorced women Yet despite the stinging defeat and Texas for two decades, but through my depend more on government and vote a post-electoral narrative that suggests failure to convince one king to attack overwhelmingly for more of it. otherwise, Republicans need not aban- them. During the 1990s, when I very What’s next? Democrats’ pro-abor- don their principles. They must resist occasionally advised Texas Gov. George tion rhetoric this year was not forward the temptation to form a circular firing W. Bush, we talked about how academi- but backward to the time of Judah’s squad, especially one with evangelicals cally totalitarian UT was becoming. He King Ahaz, who “did not do what was and their social-conservative allies in sympathized but said he was not strong right in the eyes of the Lord. ... He even the middle.

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The media trope that the Grand went to Mr. Romney by 19 points, the America found that pro-life voters were Old Party resembles a Star Wars bar largest margin among that constitu- twice as likely as their pro-choice peers scene of theocrats and religious zealots ency for a GOP presidential candidate to say abortion is an important issue in has by now become a cliché. A Huff- since Richard Nixon in 1972. This was determining their vote. ington Post columnist recently alleged no doubt due in part to their revulsion Despite the Obama campaign’s ac- that the Republican Party is “a rump over the Obama administration’s harsh cusation of a Republican “war on wom- parliament of Caucasian traditionalism: mandate on religious charities to pay for en,” Mr. Obama actually won women by white, married, churchgoing—to over- health services, such as contraception, a narrower margin than he did in 2008; simplify only slightly.” New York Times that assault their conscience and com- he lost married women by seven points. columnist Maureen Dowd claimed that pel them to violate their faith. Catholics Nor did single women—who went Republicans lost in 2012 because they who frequently attend Mass (about heavily Mr. Obama’s way—vote on “tried to force chastity belts on women one in 10 voters) broke two-to-one for reproductive issues. Forty-five percent and made Hispanics, blacks and gays Romney. of single women voters listed jobs and feel like the help,” leading voters to “give Contrary to the prevailing stereo- the economy as their most important white male domination the boot.” Juan type, evangelicals and Catholics aren’t issues, while only 8% said abortion. Williams of Fox News concluded that single-issue voters. They care about If the GOP is serious about reach- demography is destiny and “the cycles jobs, taxes and the deficit, and their sup- ing out to minorities, social issues are of history have turned against the GOP.” port for Israel rivals that of the Jewish rich soil for finding common ground. We’ve seen this movie before. In community. They played an indispens- Most minority voters are either evan- 1992, when George H.W. Bush lost the able role in re-electing the Republican gelicals or Catholics. In Ohio in 2004, White House, the political cognoscenti House majority, and in electing 30 George W. Bush won 16% of the Afri- blamed the convention speeches of Republican governors and hundreds of can-American vote, in part due to his Patrick Buchanan and Pat Robertson state legislators and local officeholders support for traditional marriage. When and what one commentator called the in recent years. Jettisoning these voters California voters ratified a traditional- “hate-fest in Houston.” A similar pattern and their issues would be like a football marriage amendment in 2008, support prevailed after losses in 1996 and 2008. coach responding to a big loss by cut- from African-American and Hispanic When Republicans lose, the chattering ting the team’s leading rusher. voters provided the margin of victory. class always blames religious folk. To be sure, the Republicans need to U.S. Hispanics aren’t monolithic. Conservative evangelicals are argu- build bridges to Hispanics and minori- There are Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, ably the largest single constituency in ties, women and younger voters. But Cubans, Venezuelans and Hondurans, the electorate. According to a postelec- unlike the conventional wisdom, social among others. But one of the most tion survey by Public Opinion Strate- issues properly framed are one of the reliable predictors of Hispanic voting gies, self-identified conservative evan- keys to a stronger, more diverse Repub- behavior is religiosity. Roughly 20% gelicals made up 27% of voters in 2012, lican coalition. of Hispanics are evangelicals (their voting 80% for Mitt Romney compared According to Gallup, a majority of number increases by 600,000 per year), with 19% for Barack Obama. This Americans now consider themselves and 37% of Hispanic voters self-identify represented a net swing of 14 points pro-life, including one-third of Demo- as social conservatives. These voters toward the GOP ticket since 2008 and crats. Younger voters are one of the made up a disproportionate share when made up 48% of the entire Romney most pro-life segments of the electorate, George W. Bush won 44% of the His- vote. Mr. Romney, a lifelong Mormon, with 51% of college-age “millennials” panic vote in 2004. actually received more evangelical votes stating that having an abortion is mor- To win their support, Republicans than George W. Bush did in 2004. ally wrong. A 2012 survey of voters 30 must favor a secure border without White Catholic voters, meanwhile, years or younger by Naral Pro-Choice sounding anti-immigrant. They should

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welcome those who come to this coun- by reaching out to Hispanics, Asians, Obama has championed to win his try legally and play by the rules, while women and young people, millions of victory. stressing education reform, economic whom share these same time-honored It’s time to change tactics. opportunity and lower taxes and regula- values. It’s time to double-down and fight tion on minority-owned businesses. — Ralph Reed harder. Republicans were once accused of The Wall Street Journal It’s time to raise our collective using “wedge issues” to divide voters November 26, 2012, p. A17 voices of outrage. based on race, gender and religion. In It’s time to form new alliances. 2012 it was the Democrats’ turn, and For many of us, the unthinkable has It’s time to form new communities they did so with the hearty applause of happened. of people who understand just how the mainstream-media chorus. When America has decisively turned the much Americans have been disenfran- Mr. Obama announced his support for corner away from the constitutional chised from our God-given rights and same-sex marriage, Daily Beast blogger principles of limited government and responsibilities. Andrew Sullivan approvingly noted self-government with the re-election of But, at the end of the day, people the “cold politics behind it,” aimed at Barack Obama. generally get the kind of government winning young voters and re-engaging There may be no way home for us. they deserve. disaffected gay fundraisers. For those of us who fundamentally When you turn away from the This is the new world. Even in an reject Obama’s policies, things are going ways of God Almighty, this is what you election about the economy, social to get very rough for the next four years. should expect, if you are a student of the issues won’t go away, and denial isn’t a We have allowed our fellow Americans Bible and history. strategy. to pronounce judgment on the nation. I’m not going to lie to you. Therefore, Republicans should That’s what Obama represents to I think things are going to get very resist the catcalls urging them to give me – God’s judgment on a people who tough in America over the next four the cold shoulder to evangelicals and have turned away from Him and His years. other voters of faith who make up the ways and from everything for which I expect more division, more strati- overwhelming majority of their vot- our founders sacrificed their lives, their fication, maybe even the disintegration ers. Instead, they must do more: They fortunes and their sacred honor. of the constitutional republic that was must practice the politics of addition The nation is divided like never the envy of the world for so long. by reaching out to Hispanics, Asians, before – intentionally so. That has been It’s time to hunker down. women and young people, millions of Obama’s game plan from the beginning It’s time to prepare for the worst whom share these same time-honored – to build a constituency of special- – economically, militarily, socially, values. interest groups that truly believe their culturally. — Ralph Reed salvation is found in bigger government, The revolutionaries have won a The Wall Street Journal more programs, irresponsible spending major political victory. November 26, 2012, p. A17 and unconstitutional policies. The America haters are running the This election could very well rep- country for another four years. Therefore, Republicans should resent the beginning of the end of the That is not a pretty prospect. resist the catcalls urging them to give American Dream, American exception- But it’s not time to retreat. It’s time the cold shoulder to evangelicals and alism, the American way. for those of us who love what America other voters of faith who make up the But it’s no time to give up – to has been for most of its history to gather overwhelming majority of their vot- throw up our hands in disgust and walk our wits and begin the long march back. ers. Instead, they must do more: They away from politics. Neither is it time to Most of all, it’s time for collective must practice the politics of addition surrender to the radical social agenda repentance.

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Only a miracle can save us – and we a definition that 41 states retain. But on These insights require no particular need to humble ourselves before God Nov. 6, voters in Maine, Maryland and theology. Ancient thinkers untouched and pray hard for one. Washington state endorsed a revision- by Judaism or Christianity—including Can we find our way home? Is ist view of marriage as the union of any Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Musonius the political system even viable for us two adults. Rufus, Xenophanes and Plutarch—also anymore? Has our heritage of repre- How should the Supreme Court distinguished conjugal unions from sentative government been perma- decide? How should voters? all others. Nor did animus against any nently robbed from us? Are our cultural We can’t move one inch toward an group produce this conclusion, which institutions – from the press to the answer simply by appealing to equal- arose everywhere quite apart from de- schools and universities to the major ity. Every marriage policy draws lines, bates about same-sex unions. The con- foundations and even our churches – let leaving out some types of relationships. jugal view best fits our social practices us down so badly that there is no hope Equality forbids arbitrary line-drawing. and judgments about what marriage is. of restoring the America we once knew But we cannot know which lines are After all, if two men can marry, or and loved? arbitrary without answering two ques- two women, then what sets marriage I don’t know the answers to these tions: What is marriage, and why does it apart from other bonds must be emo- questions. matter for policy? tional intensity or priority. But nothing But we must not retreat. We must The conjugal and revisionist views about emotional union requires it to not hide. We must not be intimidated. are two rival answers; neither is mor- be permanent. Or limited to two. Or We must not stop fighting for truth, ally neutral. Each is supported by some sexual, much less sexually exclusive. Or justice and the American way. religious and secular worldviews but inherently oriented to family life and Maybe we deserve this punishment rejected by others. Nothing in the shaped by its demands. Yet as most for taking our lifestyles for granted. Constitution bans or favors either. The people see, bonds that lack these fea- Maybe we deserve this judgment for Supreme Court therefore has no basis tures aren’t marriages. our own individual and collective sins. to impose either view of marriage. So Far from being “slippery slope” Maybe there’s still time to turn things voters must decide: Which view is predictions, these points show that the around because we serve a Creator of right? revisionist view gets marriage wrong: It second and third chances. As we argue in our book “What is conflates marriage and companionship, One thing is for certain: Our Marriage? Man and Woman: A De- an obviously broader category. That national condition is going to get much fense,” marriage is a uniquely compre- conflation has consequences. Marriage worse before it gets better. hensive union. It involves a union of law shapes behavior by promoting a — Joseph Farah hearts and minds; but also—and dis- vision of what marriage is and requires. The Washington Times tinctively—a bodily union made pos- Redefinition will deepen the social dis- November 12, 2012, p. 20 sible by sexual-reproductive comple- tortion of marriage—and consequent mentarity. Hence marriage is inherently harms—begun by policies such as “no- Marriage extended and enriched by procreation fault” divorce. As marital norms make The U.S. Supreme Court decides and family life and objectively calls for less sense, adherence to them erodes. next week whether to hear challenges to similarly all-encompassing commit- Conservative scaremongering? laws defining marriage as the conjugal ment, permanent and exclusive. No. Same-sex marriage activist Victoria union of a man and a woman. It does so In short, marriage unites a man and Brownworth, like other candid revi- after two different electoral outcomes. woman holistically—emotionally and sionists, says that redefinition “almost In May, North Carolinians voted to bodily, in acts of conjugal love and in certainly will weaken the institution of amend their state constitution to pro- the children such love brings forth—for marriage,” and she welcomes that result. tect the conjugal definition of marriage, the whole of life. Yet weakening marital norms will

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hurt children and spouses, especially riage joins—sex, commitment, family Conservatives—triumphant against the poorest. Rewriting the parenting life—was a sexual revolution among once-unstoppable social tides like ideal will also undermine in our mores opposite-sex partners, with harmful Marxism—should know this best. and practice the special value of biologi- rises in extramarital sex and nonmarital “History” has no mind. The future isn’t cal mothers and fathers. By marking childbearing, pornography and easy fixed. It’s chosen. The Supreme Court support for the conjugal view as bigotry, divorce. should let the people choose; and we it will curb freedoms of religion and Only when sex and marriage were should choose marriage, conjugal mar- conscience. Redefinition will do all this seen mainly as means to emotional riage. in the name of a basic error about what satisfaction and expression did a more — Sherif Girgis, Ryan T. Anderson, marriage is. thorough and explicit redefinition of and Robert P. George Some bonds remain unrecognized, marriage become thinkable—for the The Wall Street Journal and some people unmarried, under first time in human history. The current November 21, 2012, p. A17 any marriage policy. If simply sharing a debate just confronts us with the choice home creates certain needs, we can and to entrench these trends—or to begin Four states approved same-sex should meet them outside civil mar- reversing them. marriage by referendum--the first time riage. That debate certainly isn’t about any state had done so--albeit by nar- Moreover, if we reject the revision- legalizing (or criminalizing) anything. row margins and in blue states. Public ist’s bare equation of marriage with In all 50 states, two men or women may opinion has been moving rapidly in companionship—and the equation have a wedding and share a life. Their favor of the idea. It’s still not a good one. of marriage licenses with all-purpose employers and religious communities The only good reason for public policy personal approval—we’ll see that may recognize their unions. At issue to take an interest in marriage is that the conjugal marriage laws deprive no one here is whether government will effec- institution channels the behavior that of companionship or its joys, and mark tively coerce other actors in the public creates children into responsible child- no one as less worthy of fulfillment. square to do the same. rearing. (Channels it imperfectly, of (Indeed, using marriage law to express course, and more and more imperfectly social inclusion might further marginal- Also at issue is government expan- in recent decades.) We have already ize whoever remains single.) sion. Marital norms serve children, moved too far away from that under- True compassion means extend- spouses, and hence our whole economy, standing of marriage, and same-sex ing authentic community to everyone, especially the poor. Family breakdown marriage moves us farther. The shift in especially the marginalized, while using thrusts the state into roles for which it opinion makes a federal constitutional marriage law for the social goal that is ill-suited: provider and discipliner to amendment defining marriage as the it serves best: to ensure that children the orphaned and neglected, and arbiter union of a man and a woman a pipe know the committed love of the mother of custody and paternity disputes. dream. Conservatives should, however, and father whose union brought them For all these reasons, conserva- continue to resist judicial attempts to into being. Indeed, only that goal justi- tives would be ill-advised to abandon force governments to accept the new fies regulating such intimate bonds in support for conjugal marriage even if progressive definition of marriage, to the first place. it hadn’t won more support than Mitt defend the rights of the dissenters from Just as compassion for those at- Romney in every state where marriage the new orthodoxy, and to make the tracted to the same sex doesn’t require was on the ballot. case, both firmly and charitably, for redefining marriage, neither does pre- They certainly shouldn’t be duped marriage properly understood. serving the conjugal view mean blaming into surrender by the circular argument — National Review them for its erosion. What separated that they’ve already lost. The ash-heap December 3, 2012, p. 8 the various goods that conjugal mar- of history is filled with “inevitabilities.”

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Bio-Ethics and other extreme weather events. But hot-button issues, he is something of The voters of Massachusetts Sandy was not an unusually powerful a mixed bag (or, perhaps more appro- narrowly rejected a ballot initiative hurricane-it inflicted so much damage priately in this context, a curate’s egg): to legalize physician-assisted suicide. because it arrived at the confluence of against same-sex marriage, in favor of Proponents of the measure, which a nor’easter and a high-pressure system women bishops. He inherits a global would have allowed doctors to pre- and plowed into densely populated Communion that is ferociously divided scribe lethal drugs to patients diagnosed urban areas at high tide. In fact, the on these and other issues — always as terminally ill, argued that individuals arrival of powerful hurricanes on our seemingly on the brink of schism, never should be able to choose “death with shores is somewhat diminished of late: quite getting there. We wish him well; dignity.” A coalition of disability-rights The last Category 3 hurricane to make as Americans, we find the idea of a “Dr. groups, medical professionals, and landfall was seven years ago, the longest Welby” being in charge during a tough religious leaders pointed out that it is such interval in a century. As Profes- situation rather reassuring. almost impossible to ensure that such sor Roger Pielke Jr. of the University — National Review a choice would be free from coercion, of Colorado points out, 1954-55 saw December 3, 2012, p. 12, 13 and that allowing doctors to help their three back-to-back hurricanes more patients end their lives turns the Hip- destructive than Sandy-two in the same Origins pocratic Oath on its head. Sean Cardi- month-crashing onto our shores. As An ongoing debate over whether nal O’Malley ex pressed the hope that so often, the science is complex while cellular material can be preserved “the citizens of the commonwealth will the politics are simpleminded. Global- within fossils for long periods of time not be seduced by the language ‘dignity, warming hysteria is a fashion, and it is got a fresh round of ammunition in mercy, compassion,’ which [is] used to exciting to some people. It would not be October. Two new studies of DNA and disguise the sheer brutality of helping accurate to say that it serves no one, but proteins offered support for opposite someone to kill themselves.” That they Al Gore’s fortune is not in obvious need perspectives. were not was a hopeful sign in a bleak of supplementation, and we did not be- In the first, published in Proceed- election season. lieve Barack Obama’s promise of halting ings of the Royal Society B, Australian — National Review the oceans’ rise the first time around. scientists drilled into 158 semifossil- December 3, 2012, p. 8 — National Review ized leg bones from extinct, flightless December 3, 2012, p. 10, 12 moa birds and extracted DNA samples. Environmentalism Relying on carbon dating, the research- The case for being worried about Theology ers measured the bones to be between climate change, formerly known as The troubled Anglican Commu- 600 and 8,000 years old. They calcu- global warming, begins with the unob- nion will soon have a new leader. The lated how much DNA had degraded in jectionable and escalates to the absurd. Right Reverend Justin Welby, current the older and younger fossils, and by The least plausible claim is that specific bishop of Durham, will take office as comparing those amounts, estimated events, such as the damage inflicted by archbishop of Canterbury in March that DNA has a half-life of 521 years— Hurricane Sandy, are attributable to 2013, succeeding Rowan Williams, meaning about half of DNA breaks specific U.S. public-policy decisions. whose unfortunate excursions into apart every 521 years. The upshot is that That this assertion stands in contraven- left-wing politics have caused much little readable DNA should be able to tion of the best scientific analysis has heartburn to conservatives both in Eng- survive in a fossil beyond 1.5 million not stopped the most unhinged climate land and abroad. On strictly religious years, and none beyond 6.8 million. alarmists from making it. The more matters, Welby is from the Church of In the second study, published in reasonable argument holds that warmer England’s evangelical (as opposed to Bone, a team led by North Carolina oceans lead to more-intense hurricanes high-church) wing. On the current State University researcher Mary H.

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Schweitzer used mass spectrometry munist Cuba, I really understand what proximately $32.72 a month. to show evidence for the existence of freedom is all about. After watching this So, for those people that voted for dinosaur proteins inside Tyrannosaurus election, I am extremely disappointed four more years of more debt, more rex and duck-billed hadrosaur fossils, with what I see as a takeover of this food stamps, more regulations, a weaker both purported to be more than 60 great country by progressive socialists. dollar, poorer people, a smaller work million years old. The team also found I believe the voters are going to find force, higher energy and food prices, evidence of material within the fossils out what freedom really is. One doesn’t and a weaker military, you are about to that behaved, chemically, like DNA. seem to appreciate what they have until find out what losing your freedom is all Schweitzer is famous for discover- they lose it. about. ing soft tissue inside a fossilized T. rex The number of takers have now sur- We have definitely gotten to the femur in 2004. Although subsequent passed the number of Producers in the point where there are more people in the studies have backed up her findings, United States. What I heard on the radio wagon than there are pulling it. critics who can’t swallow the idea of today is very true... you can’t run against Our only hope is for America to 67-million-year-old dinosaur protein Santa Claus; you will lose every time. return to its Christian roots, repent, and argue the T. rex proteins actually came In Cuba 80% of the people work for ask God to heal this beautiful country. from a “biofilm” deposited by microbes the government; and as you can see, ev- — Alberto Araoz that invaded the fossils in more recent erything is falling apart. There are short- The Washington Times years. In defense, Schweitzer contends ages of food for the common people but November 12, 2012, p. 2 that a previously unknown chemical not for the tourists and the Communist mechanism allows cellular matter to party elites. Ethics be preserved over geologic time. An When you go the the grocery store Thomas Nagel is one of the world’s apparent solution to the dispute—that to buy groceries, don’t think for a minute outstanding living philosophers in the dinosaurs may be considerably younger that it is like in the USA. In Cuba, you Anglo-American analytical tradition: He than current theory dictates—is unlikely must have a “libreta” or book of the publishes his books with the Oxford and to get much consideration, given the items that you are allowed to purchase Cambridge university presses and commitment to Darwinian evolution in (which you hope they will have when writes for The New York Review of mainstream science. you get there). For example, you are Books and the Times Literary Sup­ Thus, the riddle remains scientifi- allowed to purchase 8 oz. of oil and 10 plement (TLS). Yet since 1996, he has cally unsolved. According to Scientific oz. of beans per person for a month; one grown increasingly worried about what American reporter Kate Wong, Sch- package of pasta every 3 months; and he then called “Darwinist imperial­ weitzer poked fun at her opponents you are only ab le to purchase milk if you ism.” In the same essay, “Evolutionary during a talk at an Oct. 17 paleontology have children in your home. (You can Naturalism and the Fear of Religion,” conference in North Carolina. “Here’s check these facts in the Nov. 2012 edi- he criticized “the scientism and reduc- the data in support of a biofilm origin,” tion of the National Geographic.) The tionism of our time.” Though an atheist, she said, showing everyone a blank slide. government is also able to come to your he doggedly adheres to what Matthew “We haven’t found any yet.” house and break any incandescent light Arnold called “the old but true Socratic — Daniel James Devine bulb you have right in front of you and thesis of the interdependence of knowl­ WORLD Magazine your family, edge and virtue”—that is, the ultimate November 17, 2012, p. 66 The 80% of state workers in Cuba indispensability and inseparability of have a saying that goes like this: “They epistemology and ethics, of the true and Marxism-Leninism pretend to pay us and we pretend to the good. He rightly credits such a view As an immigrant to the best country work.” To give you an example of salary to philosophers from Plato and Aristo- in the world and coming from Com- wages emergency physicians makes ap- tle, across the Middle Ages, through

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Descartes and Kant, down to Charles police with his praise of Meyer’s Signa- Science, Scientism, and Society. But of Sanders Peirce, and to the contem- ture in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence course Nagel has already risked enough porary Christian philosopher Alvin for Intelligent Design, which he chose bad company without associating with Plantinga—and himself. as one of the books of the year for the Lewis. And we should be .grateful that His short, tightly argued, exact- TLS in 2009. The “problems that these while Nagel ultimately dissents from ing new book is a work of consider- iconoclasts pose for the orthodox [Dar- “the design alternative,” he provoca­ able courage and importance. Nagel winian] scientific con­sensus should be tively adds: “I believe the defenders of is wor­ried, about Darwinism largely taken seriously,” he writes. “They do not intelligent design deserve our gratitude because he believes that its aggressive deserve the scorn with which they are for challenging a scientific world view philosophical­ naturalism ultimately commonly met. It is manifestly unfair.” that owes some of the passion displayed under­mines the bases of both reason Deeply rooted in the history of by its adherents to the fact that it is and ethics. And far from scorning even- philosophical­ speculation and argu- thought to liberate us from religion.” popular, religiously based antagonism ment, Nagel is animated by two loy- And: “That world view is ripe for dis­ to Dar­winism as a sign of backward alties: first, an obstinate rationalist placement.” ignorance, Nagel has the temerity to insistence on the indispensability of Though Nagel cannot subscribe to defend it as a form of common sense non-contradiction and logical consis- what we may call capitalized Intelligent fighting “learned foolishness” and impe- tency in argument; and second, the Design, he is dogged in defending what rialistic but suicidally­ self-contradictory residual momentum of a kind of cosmic we may call lowercase intelligent de­sign, reductionism. “I would like to defend piety, first articulated by Socrates, or the fundamental rationality of .the the untutored reaction­ of incredulity that has always seen reason and logic universe in its major enduring fea­tures: to the reductionist neo-Darwinian as having an irreducibly non-natural “Science is driven by the assumption­ account of the origin and evolution of element. It was the great Alfred North that the world is intelligible,” he says, a life,” he writes. “It is prima facie highly Whitehead (1861-1947) who noted fact noted in a famous 1960 essay by the implausible that life as we know it is that scientific reasoning itself must be Nobel-laureate physicist Eugene Wign- the result of a sequence of physical ac- premised on the presupposition that er. Empiricism is ludicrously­ inadequate cidents together with the mechanism mental functionings are not completely­ for an explanation or understanding of of natural selection.” He resents the explained or determined by natural­ either the natural world or the mind and strong-arm, in-your-face atheism of processes, because otherwise we would rational proce­dures that investigate and Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett have no warrant for believing that they can to a large extent understand and as a kind of bluff, and bold­faced cheek: are true. To this epistemological argu- manipulate it. Nagel agrees with White- “What is lacking … is a credible argu- ment Whitehead added an ethical one head, Lewis, and Plantinga that “the ment” that the full-throttle Darwinian equally apparent to Nagel: What reason application of evolutionary theory to “story has a [real] probability­ of being could naturalistic skeptics such as the understand­ing of our own cognitive true.” This is plain speaking, ‘and it has Hume or T. H. Huxley (or Dawkins or capacities” undermines “our confidence gotten the courteous, judicious­ Nagel Dennett) give for any moral views they in them,” a lethal self-contradiction. in trouble with our dominant boffins. held, Whitehead asked, “apart from — M.D. Aeschliman To compound Nagel’s effrontery, he their own psychological inheritance National Review has also defended the scientific “intel­ from the Platonic religious tradition?” November 12, 2012, p. 51 ligent design” critics of Darwinism puch Nagel seems unaware that C. S. as Michael Behe, David Berlinski, and Lewis also made these arguments three- Stephen C. Meyer, all associated with quarters of a century ago, a fact docu­ the Discovery Institute. He elicit­ed mented in detail in the recent volume outrage from the Darwinian thought The Magician’s Twin: C. S. Lewis on

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